Orbiting camera mount with integrated electronic camera positioning and functional control

Abstract

An apparatus for operating an imaging device. The apparatus can include a platform assembly supporting the apparatus on a surface and extending in a first plane, a first arm rotatable about an axis of rotation orthogonal to the first plane, with the axis of rotation being disposed at the platform assembly. The apparatus can further include a second arm coupled to the first arm and extending in a second plane, a carriage slidably coupled to the second arm, with the carriage including a mount couplable to the imaging device, and the mount being tiltable in the second plane. The apparatus can further include at least one electronic system configured to control one or more of a rotation of the first arm, a sliding of the carriage, and a tilting of the mount.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for operating an imaging device, comprising:
 a platform assembly supporting the apparatus on a surface and extending in a first plane;   a first arm rotatable about an axis of rotation orthogonal to the first plane, the axis of rotation being disposed at the platform assembly;   a second arm coupled to the first arm and extending in a second plane;   a carriage slidably coupled to the second arm, the carriage including a mount couplable to the imaging device, the mount being tiltable in the second plane; and   at least one control system configured to control one or more of a rotation of the first arm, a sliding of the carriage, and a tilting of the mount.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , the platform assembly further comprising a first plate supported on the surface and a second plate coupled to the first plate by a shaft disposed therebetween, wherein the first arm is rotatably coupled to the shaft. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the second arm is pivotably coupled to the first arm proximate a first end of the first arm; and   a counterweight is disposed proximate a second end of the first arm that is opposite the first end.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first sheave disposed proximate a first end of the second arm;   a second sheave disposed proximate a second end of the second arm; and   a belt movably mounted on the first and second sheave and coupled to the mount.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one control system is remotely controllable. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one control system comprises one or more of:
 an arm rotation subsystem configured to control the rotation of the first arm;   a height position subsystem configured to control the sliding of the carriage; and   a tilt subsystem configured to control the tilting of the mount.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising a camera control subsystem configured to control an operation of the image capture device. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the at least one control system is programmable such that one or more subsystem of the subsystems performs at least one operation based on one or more of a user-programmed parameter, an external input, and an operational status of one or more subsystem of the subsystems.   
     
     
         9 . A system for controlling an imaging device and having a plurality of subsystems, comprising:
 an arm rotation subsystem configured to electronically control an orbiting of the imaging device about an axis of rotation;   a height position subsystem configured to control a height of the imaging device in a plane containing the imaging device and the axis of rotation; and   a tilt position subsystem configured to control a tilting of the imaging device about a tilting axis orthogonal to the plane containing the imaging device and the axis of rotation;   wherein, in operation, the imaging device is maintained in orientation so as to capture a portion of the axis of rotation, irrespective of the orbiting, height, and tilt of the imaging device.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising a camera control subsystem configured to control an operation of the image capture device. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein each subsystem of the plurality of subsystems is remotely controllable. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the system is configured to receive signals from at least one subsystem of the plurality of subsystems so as to receive subsystem status information; and   the system is configured to send signals to at least one subsystem of the plurality of subsystems so as to control subsystem operation.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising a trigger/notification subsystem configured to initiate a function of one or more of the other subsystems in response to an external signal and to provide a signal in response to a condition of one or more of the other subsystems and/or in response to an external condition. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein each subsystem of the plurality of subsystems is configured to provide a signal with respect to one or more operational statuses of said subsystem. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising a supervisory system configured to control and coordinate each subsystem of the plurality of subsystems and to receive signals from each subsystem of the plurality of subsystems. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the plurality of subsystems is programmable such that one or more subsystem of the plurality of the subsystems performs at least one operation based on one or more of a user-programmed parameter, an external input, and an operational status of one or more subsystem of the plurality of subsystems.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the arm rotation subsystem comprises an orbital arm orbiting the axis of rotation;   the height position subsystem comprises a carriage slidably coupled to the orbital arm; and   the tilt position subsystem comprises a mount pivotably coupled to the carriage.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a platform assembly; and   a rotating arm rotatably coupled to the platform assembly and having a first end coupled to an end of the orbital arm.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , further comprising a counterweight coupled to a second end of the rotating arm. 
     
     
         20 . An apparatus for operating an imaging device, comprising:
 an orbiting arm orbiting about an area where an object to be imaged is placeable;   a carriage disposed on the orbiting arm and movable at least in an elevation direction;   a mount coupled to the carriage and couplable to the imaging device, the mount being tiltable in the plane of the orbiting arm; and   at least one control system configured to control a movement of one or more of the orbiting arm, the carriage, and the mount;   wherein, in operation, the imaging device is maintained in orientation so as to capture the object to be imaged, irrespective of an orbital position, an elevation, and a tilt of the imaging device.